特别广播英语第 149 课：Predicting Earthquakes 预测地震-1

Can earthquakes be predicted? Scientists are working on programs to predict where and when an earthquake will occur. 地震可以预报吗？科学家们正致力于研究预报何时何地会发生地震的计划，

They hope to develop an early warning system that can be used to forecast earthquakes so that lives can be saved. 他们希望开发一种早期报警系统用来预报地震，以挽救人们的生命。

Earthquakes are the most dangerous and deadly or all natural events. 地震是自然灾害中最危险的最致命的，发生在世界许多地方。

They occur in many parts of the world. Giant earthquakes have been recorded in Iran, China, Guatemala, Chile, India, and Alaska. 伊朗、中国、危地马拉、智利、印度和阿拉斯加都有过大地震的记录。

Two of the biggest earthquakes that were ever recorded took place in China and Alaska. 有记载的最大两次地震是发生在中国和阿拉斯加。

These earthquakes measured about 8.5 on the Richter Scale. 这两次地震经测量约为里氏8.5级。

The Richter Scale was devised by Charles Richter in 1935, and compares the energy level of earthquakes. 里氏震级是1935年查尔斯·里克特发明的，用来比较地震的能量等级。

An earthquake that measures a 2 on the scale can be felt but causes little damage. 里氏地震级测出的2级地震可以感觉到，但几乎没什么破坏；

One that measures 4.5 on the scale can cause slight damage, and an earthquake that has a reading of over 7 can cause major damage. 测出的4.5级地震能够造成轻微破坏，读数超过7级的地震会带来重大破坏。